This is the explosive story of how capitalism US-style got its comeuppance: how excessive deregulation, government pandering to big business and exorbitant CEO salaries all fed the bubble that burst so dramatically amid corporate scandal and anti-globalization protest.

As chief economic advisor to the president at the time, Stiglitz exposes the inside of what went wrong, but also reveals how Bush's administration is now making things worse - much worse - for the economy, the US and the rest of the world. Stiglitz takes us one step further, showing how a more balanced approach to the market and government can lead not only to a better economy, but a better society.